In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Night
clyde mcphatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da doby doby do
Da doby doby do
Da doby doby do
It was a night
Ooh, what a night it was
It really was such a night
Ooh, how bright it was
It really was such a night
The night was alive with the stars above
Mm, when she kissed me
I had to fall in love
Ooh, it was a kiss
Ooh, what a kiss it was
It really was such a kiss
How she could kiss
Ooh, what a kiss it was
It really was such a kiss
Just the thought of her lips
Sets me afire
I reminisce and I'm filled with desire
I gave my heart to her in sweet surrender (do ah, do ah) (do ah, do ah)
How well I remember (do ah, do ah)
I'll always remember (do ah, do ah)
Ooh, that night
Ooh, what a night it was
It really was such a night
Came the dawn and my heart and her love
And the night were gone
But I know I'll never forget her kiss in the moonlight
Ooh, such a kiss
Ooh, ooh such a night
I gave my heart to her in sweet surrender (do ah, do ah)(do ah, do ah)
How well I remember (do ah, do ah)
I'll always remember (do ah, do ah)
Ooh, that night
Ooh, what a night it was
It really was such a night
Came the dawn and my heart and her love
And the night were gone
But I know I'll never forget her kiss in the moonlight
Ooh, such a kiss
Oh, such a night
Now she's gone, gone, gone
Yes, she's gone, gone, gone
Came the dawn, dawn, dawn
And the night was gone
And my heart was gone
And her love was gone
And before that morn
Oh, such a night
The lyrics of Clyde McPhatter/The Drifters's song “Such a Night” speaks about a romantic night where the moon was bright with stars above. The singer reminisces about the kiss he shared with his lover, which sets him afire every time he thinks about it. The song highlights the special night that was marked by their passionate kiss, which made him fall in love with her. The singer reflects fondly on his time with his lover and how he gave his heart to her in sweet surrender, and he knows that he will never forget that night.
The song is about the beauty of love and how it can make a night unforgettable. The lyrics express the feelings of pure passion and desire that can make one fall in love. The metaphor of the bright moon and the stars symbolizes the special moment, which is eternalized in the memory of the singer. The song is beautifully composed and captures the essence of a romantic and unforgettable night.
Line by Line Meaning
Do, da doby doby do
Sounds of music that set the tone for the events that follow.
Da doby doby do
Repetition of the instrumental sounds.
It was a night
Recalling a significant time.
Ooh, what a night it was
The night he will not forget.
It really was such a night
Affirming the spectacular notion and experience of the night.
The moon was bright
Describing the ambiance of the night.
Ooh, how bright it was
Expressing the brilliance of the celestial body.
The night was alive with the stars above
The stars illuminated the night sky with an unparalleled view.
Mm, when she kissed me
Describing the pivotal moment in the evening.
I had to fall in love
The moment of the kiss inspired love.
Ooh, it was a kiss
Describing the memory of that moment.
Ooh, what a kiss it was
Reiterating the prominence of the kiss.
How she could kiss
The experience of the kiss was unforgettable.
Just the thought of her lips
A reminiscence of the impression the lips left during the kiss.
Sets me afire
The thought of the kiss and the person leaves him with a magnetic attraction.
I reminisce and I'm filled with desire
Thinking of the past experience of the kiss ups the craving for more.
I gave my heart to her in sweet surrender (do ah, do ah) (do ah, do ah)
Surrendering to the emotions that the kiss and the person evoked.
How well I remember (do ah, do ah)
Recalling the kiss and a special moment.
I'll always remember (do ah, do ah)
The kiss will always be remembered as a special moment.
Came the dawn and my heart and her love
When the night was over, love remained.
And the night were gone
The night ended, and the memory commenced.
But I know I'll never forget her kiss in the moonlight
Assured that the memory of the kiss will be forever etched in his memory.
Now she's gone, gone, gone
The person left his presence.
Yes, she's gone, gone, gone
The repetition highlighting the loss.
Came the dawn, dawn, dawn
The morning after the night.
And my heart was gone
An emotion felt when someone leaves.
And her love was gone
A feeling of loss that the person evoked.
And before that morn
Hoping for the past to return.
Oh, such a night
A reminder of the special, unique experience that was had.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Lincoln Chase
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mohabatkhanmalak1161
Beautiful version, I played it over and over again. Clyde Mcphatter's voice, rythm etc is so good to hear. Many thanks.
@Imani_AM
I love Clyde McPhatter's voice and music so much! He's really underrated 🎶 great founder of The Drifters
@soyeldiego4878
This song needs over 1,000,000 hits! Great memories in the late 60s! My folks playing these tunes in the weekend while grilling some steaks. What I would give to relive those days again...
@harryhopworthy9600
Clyde McPhatter was a wonderful singer !! He deserves to be remembered as such.
@billyonions6024
Harry Hopworthy
You know it !
@mitchelsmith9677
You are correct, Sir ! Elvis loved Clyde McPhatter, that’s why he covered this song. Him and Clyde were also good Friends.
@surrealfarm
Clyde was FABULOUS!! It's such a shame that he was controlled by people who paid him next to nothing, and didn't let him even share royalties from his music. He might have been so much more successful with the right support.... and lived longer.
@sopanmcfadden276
A truly gifted singer
@lynna2605
Always a pleasure to listen to Clyde Mcphatter
@pgroove163
This cat has influenced so many performers .just an incredibly fantastic voice.. one of the most influential and incredible singers of all time